The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island Part 18

Neither of the boys discovered any house, however, nor did they see any indications that the region was inhabited.

"We're having a fine time here," Fred said at last. "There doesn't seem to be anybody living here. We haven't anything to eat and we haven't even a gun or a fishing-rod in our skiff."

"We shan't need any of them," said John, "when the sun rises. We'll be sure to find somebody who will take us back to Mackinac Island, or maybe the _Gadabout_ will be looking for us."

"My namesake acted as if he liked to spend a good deal of time searching for us," said Fred scornfully. "I tell you, Jack, he has other business on hand."

"Maybe we can take him back to the insane asylum and claim the reward,"

suggested John.

"Or to state prison."

"Yes, or he may be something else."

"What do you mean?"

"It doesn't make any difference what I mean. I have my own ideas and I'm not going to cast any pearls before swine. What I'm going to do now is to go ash.o.r.e. The sun will be up in a half an hour. It's beginning to be light in the east now."

"You're right, John," acknowledged Fred. "It surely is getting light over yonder. I don't know what you're going to gain by landing, but I'm willing to try it, if you want to. Be careful that you don't strike a rock."

Hardly had Fred spoken before there was a dull thud and a moment later it was evident that the frail little skiff had struck the jagged point of a hidden rock.

CHAPTER XIII A FRESH ARRIVAL

Water at once began to pour into the skiff but the boys were so near the land that neither was greatly alarmed. By a few vigorous strokes the little boat was quickly sent ash.o.r.e. Leaping out upon the dry land both Fred and John seized the gunwale and together brought the skiff far up from the water.

"That's a pretty kettle of fish," said Fred. "Just look at it! There is a big leak. You must have stove a hole in the bottom."

"Turn it over and let's see," suggested John.

In a moment the boat was overturned and the fears of the boys were confirmed when they discovered that the blow against the jagged rock, although it had not torn a hole in the bottom of the skiff, had nevertheless sprung it in such a manner that it was leaking badly.

"How are we ever going to get back to Mackinac Island?" said Fred.

"I guess we won't have to go in this boat," answered John. "Just now, the thing for us to do is to look around here and find out whether we are really Robinson Crusoes or there are some people living here who can give us some breakfast."

"That's all right," said Fred, more cheerfully at the mention of the possibility of a morning meal. "You run up the sh.o.r.e in one direction and I will go down the other way. We'll come back in about five or ten minutes and we'll report."

Fred's suggestion was agreed to by his friend and the boys at once started along the banks which were only a few yards back from the sh.o.r.e.

More than the allotted time had pa.s.sed when the two boys returned.

Neither had been able to discover any tokens of the presence of people dwelling or camping on the island.

"It looks pretty dark," said Fred more disconsolately.

"It's easy to go back," said John solemnly, "but it takes some nerve and grit to go ahead. I never yet knew a boat that drifted up the stream. If you leave it alone and don't do anything it will go down stream every time."

"You speak like a philosopher, as I told you," said Fred. "I wonder sometimes how one small head can carry all you know."

"And that's not original either, I have heard that before. What's that yonder?" he suddenly added.

At the question both boys turned and looked out over the waters of the lake. In the distance a tiny speck could be seen, but it was plainly moving toward the place where they were standing. The sun had risen by this time and the quiet waters of the lake were flooded with its beams.

"It's a a motor-boat," declared John after a brief silence.

"You're right once in your life, Jack," acknowledged Fred. "That's just what it is and it's coming straight toward the place where we are."

"So you had all your crying for nothing. It doesn't pay to give up when there's still any chance to go ahead."

"We'll wait and see. Perhaps we'll know more an hour from now than we do just at this minute."

Eagerly the boys watched the coming of the motor-boat. It steadily became more distinct and not many minutes had elapsed before both boys were convinced that the little boat was nearly of the size of the _Gadabout_.

Then they were able to distinguish two men on board, one at the wheel and one seated in the stern.

"I thought at first it might be the _Gadabout_," said Fred in a low voice.

"So did I," joined in John. "I can see now that it isn't."

"So can I. What do you suppose it is?"

"I haven't the remotest idea. If we wait long enough we'll find out."

"What do you suppose that boat is coming here for?" inquired Fred.

"That's another thing you'll have to wait to find out. You're a great lad. You make me think of what the headmaster said the other day."

"What did he say?" inquired Fred. "He often makes remarks to you that I don't hear, and some of them I am very glad I don't."

"That's all right, too," said John. "What he told us the other day was that children and savages are the people that are the most likely to give way to their feelings. They laugh and cry when strong people keep quiet."

"What do you mean by that?" demanded Fred sharply.

"I don't mean anything. I'm just telling you what the headmaster said."

"They are going to land right in here," said Fred abruptly, as the motor-boat slightly changed its course and apparently was approaching the very place where the boys had made their unfortunate landing.

"Let's go farther back," suggested John. "Maybe it is some more of this strange business. It won't do any harm if they don't see us and I don't believe they have yet because they wouldn't be looking for anybody where we are."

"Come ahead," suggested Fred, quickly acting upon the advice of his companion.

Drawing farther back and yet still remaining in a position from which they were able to see the approaching boat, the boys were confident that they would not be seen. Both excitedly were watching the coming boat.

In a brief time the power was shut off and the anchor was cast overboard.

Then in a small skiff, which the motor-boat had in tow, the man who had been at the wheel quickly rowed toward the sh.o.r.e.